What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?
Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully
served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her
punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry
from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself,
gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who
occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage
to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for
nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too
young an age.
But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still
has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods
and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward
healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how
powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before
you can rise back up again.
“Where are Hades and Persephone?” I ask, glancing around the empty
living room. They are nowhere to be seen tonight; neither are any of theAutomatons.
The corner
of Hermes’ mouth quirks. “Out. Possibly in theUnderworld. One never knows
with those two.”
Relief unfurls in the muscles in my shoulders. Still, I can’t help
but ask, “Without saying goodbye?”
He’s definitely amused. “Shall I fetch them for you?”
“No!” My answer is too quick, which I fear broadcasts just how ecstatic I am at the thought
of being along with Hermes right now. And that realization causes me to blush
for the millionth time around him inthe last month, so I
clarify, “Of course not. I was just curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” To my delight, his hand finds
mine and our fingers intertwine. It is a delicious sensation: his hand, warm
and worn in mine in just such a way that feels like it’s an extension of my
body.
It must be criminal to adore touching someone so much.
“Did it, though?” I ask, and he laughs a burst of exasperated air.
“Possibly, but then again, who am I to judge, when I am often struck by
curiosity that I cannot help but sate?” He gives me that dazzling grin of his
and pulls me through the house. “Case in point: you.”
“Me?” I squeak unattractively. There are lights ahead throughthe French
doors leading to the patio, and I am curious myself enough to wonder
what they are, but not nearly as much as I am for what he might mean.
“Yes, you.” He glances back at me. “I’ve never told you that I was overcome
with curiosity when I heard Athena cursed some girl from one of her temples. It
wasn’t like it was the first time she’d gone vindictively bonkers,
but she was really put out over you. I mean . . . one of her followers?
Even that was low for her.” His fingers squeeze mine gently and we stop about
twenty feet from the doors. “When I first showed up on your island .
. .”
I am helpless at looking anywhere but in his eyes. Tonight, they’re green.
Vivid, beautiful, clear green. “Yes?”
“I’d been warned that you were a monster and that I best keep my distance. That
you would slay me at the slightest provocation, and naturally, I
believed it, as I could not blame anyone’s hatred toward my family after what
my sister and uncle had done to you. But once Death handed me that first soul
and departed, I heard you crying. My curiosity inflamed tenfold. What kind of
so-called monster weeps like her heart had shattered and never would form whole
again?”
Like clockwork, my cheeks burn. His fingers brush my reddened skin ever so
gently before I turn my face to rest in his hand.The butterflies in my
chest swarm frantically. “My sister misjudged you. I knew that the very
second I heard your anguish. I’m afraid I was lost to you from that moment on.
I had to discover all that made you you, even if I would suffer the same
fate as the proverbial cat. And I never cared about the risks,
as long as my curiosity about you was sated first.”
“Truly?” The word barely escapes my lips.
His eyes are so intense. “Truly.”
Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been
writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an
archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her
(mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob.
They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read
and be read to.
Here's the link for the ebook:
Amazon ebook
Here's the link for the paperback, if you are so inclined:
Amazon paperback
Can I just say GENIUS??? Yeah, I mean it...The brilliance in this age old tale created by Heather Lyons is just AMAZING!!! She literally had me glued to the pages of this story...eager to know where it was going to go and exactly what was going to happen.
A tale about Medusa... A heart-warming tale about Medusa, mind I tell ya....And enthralling to say the least...
So, obviously you know that I loved this story. I truly do not want to go in to many details because it is a book you need experience for yourself.
But, this is what I will say....
Heather Lyons composed perfection by taking on the legend of Medusa. The monster tales that we all know about her have led us to believe one side of the story...sooo....what if they were wrong???
I was captured by the intriguing unique storyline that pounded me with shocking surprises and twists and turns. I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails waiting to see events unfold. ANNNNND....when things began to unravel,the mysteries being revealed to us, I was sitting here with my mouth hinged open.
My admiration for Medusa grew tenfold and a love for the god Hermes bloomed. I cannot say it enough that story is defintely going to be one of my top ten reads of this year...
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you get this book and read it right away....BELIEVE me...you will not want to miss out on this alluring mystical novel that will make you question everything you have read about those Greek gods of ole...
A modern day fairytale about Medusa? MEDUSA?!?! Only one of
the most interesting and misunderstood creatures in mythology. So creepily
fascinating and frightening. So macabrely stunning. And now she gets a voice
and an EPIC tale- and possibly love?! Oh yeah, I was stoked to read this book.
I loved many things about The DEEP END of the SEA... the
magnificent world building, the stellar character development. The fact that no
matter what or who the scene revolved around, there was always a rush of
adrenaline... a shock, a thrill, or a scare. A moment of passion. Regret
and disdain. So so much emotion. Often I was ambushed by the unexpected twists
the story would take. Elated when something went Medusa's way. And devastated
when she felt lost, defeated and broken.
Medusa was a most enjoyable heroine. Yes, heroine. No where
near being the monster feared for millennia. She is one of the most endearing
and honest characters I've come across in some time. She's so atypical of what
you've always heard. Full of wonder, yearning, love, fear, sorrow and
desperation. It was a delicious surprise to see such a range of emotions from
one you would think soulless and one dimensional. I wanted to love and protect
her. Speaking of love and protecting...
I can't say much about my second favorite character without
spoiling, so I'll just say I ADORED Hermes- in all his godly and yet boyish
glory. He amped up the excitement factor tenfold. And boy, this story was
THRILLING.
Battles of wits and strength. Threats and temptations.
Deceit and betrayal. The brink of insanity. Love and hate. Truth and self
discovery. Through the good and bad, The DEEP END of the SEA had it all and
held me its captive to the fractured fairytale end.
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